Uncontrolled intersections

By the end of this topic you can

• You can recognize an uncontrolled intersection early.
• You can approach at a speed that lets you stop if needed.
• You can decide who goes first using arrival order and the right-hand rule.
• You can apply the T intersection rule.
• You can handle limited visibility safely.

What you need to know and understand

• No signs or signals means you must work out right-of-way yourself.
• The vehicle that arrives first goes first.
• If two vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right.
• At a T intersection without signs, traffic on the through road has the right-of-way.
• Pedestrians in crosswalks, marked or unmarked, have the right-of-way.
• Some states set a lower speed limit near blind uncontrolled intersections, for example California sets 15 mph where you cannot see 100 feet in either direction in the last 100 feet; check your state manual.

Approaching with care

1. Spot the intersection early: look for side roads with no signs or signals.
2. Check mirrors and ease off the accelerator.
3. Cover the brake and be ready to stop.
4. Look left, right and left again, and check for pedestrians and cyclists.
5. Decide who has the right-of-way and yield if it is not you.
6. Proceed only when the way is clear.

Who goes first

• Different arrival times: the first to arrive goes first.
• Same time: yield to the vehicle on your right.
• T intersection: the vehicle on the road that ends yields to traffic on the through road.
• Turning left: yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right that is close enough to be a hazard.
• Any doubt: yield. Being cautious is never a road test fault when it is reasonable.

When you cannot see

Hedges, parked cars and buildings often block the view at uncontrolled intersections. Slow down enough to stop within the distance you can see, and creep forward if you need to look past an obstruction. In California, the limit drops to 15 mph when you cannot see 100 feet in both directions during the last 100 feet before crossing, unless signs say otherwise. Other states have different rules.

Common mistakes

• Treating an uncontrolled intersection like a through road and keeping speed.
• Assuming drivers on side roads will yield.
• Forgetting the right-hand rule on simultaneous arrival.
• Pulling out from the end of a T without yielding.

Test yourself: Uncontrolled intersections

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Right of Way at Uncontrolled Intersections and Driveways